Cleveland City Council is looking into partnering with the Cleveland Animal Protective League to start a catch, neuter and release program for feral cats.

The Cleveland nonprofit has already had a program where community members can bring in local cats and have them neutered for $10, but the council is looking to help fund that program to expand its reach.

Councilman Tony Brancatelli says it is a more humane and effective solution than euthanizing healthy cats. He says the council will get the public involved in creating a smaller, healthier cat population in Cleveland.

"The big push we’re going to have is on the education side," Brancatelli says. "Letting folks know, 'Lets’ not overfeed them, let's make sure they do get their shots and their treatment that they need.' Having community cats is healthy for our environment. They do help keep down our rodent population. They are a part of the ecosystem and let them know that it’s just not a matter of bringing as many in as you can so they can be killed."

Brancatelli says neutered cats will be marked by surgically removing the tip of their ear. While the council has not decided on how much they will spend on the program, he expects it will cost at least $50,000.

Sharon Harvey of the Cleveland APL estimates there are 56,000 cats in the city of Cleveland.